Valve for musical wind instruments



April 9, 1929. H. J. CHARLTON VALVE FOR MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed Jan. 28, 1927 CII .Patented Api". 9, 1929.

iaeazse UNITED STATES Parar orifice.'

HARRY J". CHARLTON, OF ELKHORN, VISCONSIN, ASSGNOR TO FRANK HOLTON & COMPANY, OF ELKHOR-N, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF `W'ISCO1\TS[1\T.

VALVE FOR MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS.

Application led January 28, 1927. Serial No. 164,181.

This invention relates to valves for wind instruments by means o'l which the length ot' the instrument tube or pipe is varied in producing different notes. c

One object ot the invention is to provide a valve for the purpose named, which will be substantially tree 'from the effects of wear, which may be more easily and quickly rotated than valves heretofore used,'and which will be ot improved construction and operation. lOther objects will appear `from the tollowing description.

rlhe invention is exemplified in the combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawing and described in the following specification, and it is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ot one form oit' instrument equipped with valves such as comprise the present invention.

Fig.2 is an elevation of a set of valves embodying the present invention7 one of the valves being shown in section.

Fig. Sis a transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. 1

In many forms of wind instrument-sxsuch as corncts, French horns7 and other instruments vot' similar'type, there are provided sect-ions of tubing which may be connected in series with the main wind passage or which may be cut out by a by-pass thusfl changing the effective length of the air column of the instrument. The insertion or disconnection of the various supplemental tube portions is effected by'valves. In the l present invention, rotary valves are used for this purpose which have oneposition for connecting in the supplementary tubeand diferentposition for providing ahy-pass to disconnect the supplementary tube.

The instrument shown in Fig. 1 is known as a French horn and comprises a main tubnlarwind passage 10 and supplementary tubes 11, 12 and 13 of diiiferent lengths which may be inserted in the main wind passage '10 by valves 14, 15 and 16, respectively. The valves are controlled by bell crank levers having linger pieces 17 18 and 19 and operating Shanks 20, 21 and 22. Springs 28, 24 and 25 are connected with each ot the bell cranks, respectively', and hold the linger pieces 17 18 and'19 in' their uppermost positions. lVhen the linger pieces are depressed, they will be rotated about their pivotal mounting 2G against the tension of their respective springs. Each ot' the bell crank shanks is connected Vwith a rotary valve, the construction of which is shown best in Figs. 2 and Each valve comprises a cylindrical sleeve or casing 27 having openings 28 with which the main wind passage 10 of the instrument is coniiected.. A second pair ot openings 29 are connected with the supplemental tube 11, 12 or 13 which the particular valve controls. A rotary cylindrical valve 30 is disposed within the cylindrical casing 27 and is nicely litted within the cylinder so that the periphery of the valve 30 is `very closely adjacent the inner surface of the cylinder 27 but not in actual contact therewith. The fitting may be made suiliciently close so that there is substantially no passage of air between the outer surface et the rotary valve and the inner wall of the' casing and yet leave the inner cylinder free to rotate without trictional engagement between the two adjacent p surfaces. l

In order to accurately center thewrotary valve 30 and to provide va bearing for the valve which will permit easy and free rotation and yet retain the parts inv their accurately centered relation, the valve 30 is provided with bearing pins 31 and 32 which are journaled in jewel bearings 33 and 34, respectively. rlhe bearing 33 is supported by a threaded plug 35 carried by an internally threaded sleeve 36 supported `on a spider 37 which is mounted on a cover plate 38 secured to the end of the cylindrical easing 27. The cover plate 38 is provided with a circular' projection 39 which extends into the end ot the cylindrical casing 27 to center the cover. plate and spider relative to the 'cylinder 27. A second cover plate 40 is provided with acircular projection r41 eX- tendinO into the other end of the c linder :n

27 and a hollow boss 42 is carried by the `cover plate 40. A plug 43 is threaded into the boss 42 for supporting the jewel bearing 34. The coverplatef/lO is held in place by a threaded cap 44. rlhe end of the boss 42 is closed by a cap 45 which may be removed to permit access to the stud 43,

ing it in its threaded support within the boss 42. A similar cap 4G closes the end of the sleeve 36 to permit adjustment or so that the stud may be adjusted by rotatiio the stud '35. It will be seen that the valve 30 is Supported entirely on the jewel bearings 33 and 3l and is practically free from wear since it has no frictional engagement with any ot the other parts of the valve casing. The valve may be accurately adjusted in the direction ot the length ot its axis by the threaded supports for the jewel bearings and any iniinitesimal wear that may occur at the bearings between the ends oit the spindles and the jewels may be taken up by vadjusting the plugs 35 and 48. rl`he spindle 3l is provided with a squared portion to which a collar 47 is secured about Awhich a cord 48 is wound. The opposite -ends ot' the cord 48 are attached at longitudinally spaced points to the shank Q0 so vthat movement ot the shank in either direction will rotate the valve 30. A stop Lt9 is attached to the sleeve 36 tor limiting rotation of the valve. When the valve 3o is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the supplemental pipe section l1 will 'he connected in the wind passage. Then the valve BO is vrotated ninety degrees by the linger piece 17 the two ends ot' the wind passage 10 will be connected through one of the pas `sages 50 :termed in the valve wnile the supplemental tube 11 will be shut oli by the web'l between the passages 50. The passages 50 will always he maintained in proper registration with the connecting ports 28 and 29 since the valve 30 is not shifted by 4adjustment 'for wear, as is necessary in the case of a tapered plug valve. The jewel `hearings may be accurately centered to per` mit sufficiently accurate fitting ot' the valve within its casing so that the passage of .air may be controlled without actual tric- ',tional contact between the valve and its casing. The-bearings o'l' the valve spindle in their jewel seats may be made substantially frietionless when the parts are accuratelyl adjusted so that the valve rotates practically without frictional resistance. This perni-its the use et ymore delicate springs 23 than canbe employed where trictional contact yis present in the valves, and this, in zturrn, -ai'l'ords easier operation and quicker response to the operator-s fingers.

It will be apparent that changes in details of construction may be made hy those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim l. A musical wind instrument having a wind passage, a valve for controlling said passage comprising a cylindrical casing, a cylindrical valve disposed within said ACasing and having a passage theretlnfough,

said casing having ports through the wall thereoit for registration with said passage, cover plates for the opposite ends ot' said cas-ing having projections thereon extending into said casing, journals Ylor said valves at the opposite ends thereof, jewel bearings lor supporting said journals, and mountings in said cover plates Ylor supporting said jewel bearings, said in ouutings being separately adjustable in the direction et the axis ot rotation of said valve.

2. A musical wind instrument having a wind passage, and a valve 'tor controlling said passage, said valve comprising a cylindrical casing. cover plates Vlfor the opposite ends ot' said casing, internally threaded sleeves. mounted on said cover plates, means for locating said Vfever plates on said casing to support said sleeves in axial alinenient with said casing, plugs threaded in said sleeves., jewel bearings cai-reid hy said plugs, a cylindrical valve disposed within said casing and having spindle bearings at 'the opposite ends there-ol engaging said ewcl bearings, and means for closing said sleeves, said closing means being removable to permit access to said plugs tor adjusting the same in the direction ol" the axis oli said valve.

wind instrument ha ving a wind passage and a valve for controlling said passage, said valve comprising a cylindrical housing having ports extending through the wall thereof, a cylindrical valve disposed within said housing, and axially disposed jewel bearings 'for said valve supporting said valve with the periphery thereol adjacent to but Atree troni actual contact. with the inner surface et said housing, said valve having a passage tor registering with said ports.

4l. A musical wind instrument having a wind passage and a valve tor controlling said passage, said valve comprising a cylindrical housing, a cylindrical valve disposed within said housing and co-aXial therewith, jewel, bearings tor supporting said valve 'for rotation about the axis thereol, the periphery oi? said valve being adjacent to but tree trom trictional contact with the inner wall ot said housing, removable closures for the ends ot said housing in which said jewel bearings are mounted, means lor locating said closures to position said jewel hearings co-aXially with said hous ing, and mount-ings tor said bearings adjustable in the direction' ol the axis ot said housing. v

5. A wind musical instrument having a wind passage, a valve t'or controlling said passage, and means lior mounting the valve with lreedom ot rotation, coniprising an axially projecting spindle on one side ot the valve, a cover lor the saine side ot the valve havingr a sleeve through which said spindle extends, and an adjustable bearing supporting the end oiE said spindle.

6. A wind musical instrument having a wind passage, a valve tor controlling said passage, and means 4for mounting the valve lllO with freedom of rotation, con'iprising an axially projecting spindle on one side of the valve, a cover for the same side of the valve having a sleeve through which said spindle extends, a jewel bearing for supporting the end of said spindle, and means'for adjusting the pcsiiton of said jewel bearing.

7. A wind musical instrument having a wind passage, a valve for controlling said passage, and means for mounting the valve with freedom of rotation, comprising an axially projecting spindle on one side of the valve, a cover for the same side of the valve having a sleeve through which said spindle extends, a jewel bearing for supporting the end of said spindle, and means for adjusting the position of said jewel bearing comprising a plug onwvliich the jewel bearing is mounted, and a sleeve in which the plug is threaded.

8. A wind musical instrument having a wind passage, a valve for controlling said passage, and means for mounting the valve with freedom of rotation, comprising an axially projecting spindle on one side of the valve, a cover for the same side ofthe valve having a sleeve through which said spindle extends, a jewel hearing for supporting the end of said spindle, and means for adjusting the position of said jewel bearing compris ing a spider secured to said cover, a sleeve supported by said spider, and a plug threaded in said sleeve and carrying said jewel hearing on the end thereof.

9. A wind musical instrument having a wind passage and a valve for controlling said passage, comprising a casing, a rotary valve in said easing, and means for lnounting the valve with freedom of rotation, comprising a relatively short hearing pin projecting axially on one side of the valve, an adjustable plug having a jeweled hearing thereon for said bearing pin, a relatively long bearing` pin projecting axially from the opposite side of the valve, and an adjustable plug having a jeweled hearing for said relatively long bearing pin.

10. A wind musical instrument having a wind passage and a valve for controlling said passage, comprising a casing, a rotary valve in said casing, and means for mounting the valve with freedom of rotation, comprising a relatively short bearing pin projecting axially on one side of the valve, an adjustable plug having a jeweled bearing thereon for said hearing pin, a relatively long bearing pin projecting axially from the opposite side of the valve, anadjustalole plug having a jeweled hearing for said relatively long bearing pin, a sleeve in which said last-named plug is adj ustably mounted, and a spider supporting said sleeve in spaced relation from the valve.

In testimony whereof I have signed m name to this specification on this 21st da of January, A. D. 1927.

HARRY J. CHARLTON. 

